Focus on France: Dan Ghenacia (Freak N Chic)

Focus on France: Dan Ghenacia (Freak N Chic)

10 September, 2010 | 8.08AM

• Written by: Beatportal
• Filed under: Music News: dan ghenacia, focus on, france, freak n chic

One of the leading figures of Paris’ ‘00s generation, Dan Ghenacia is a longtime resident of Batofar, the infamous club-in-a-tugboat on the Seine; he’s also one of the masterminds behind Freak N Chic, a powerhouse label that’s brought us everyone from local talents like Danton Eeprom, Seuil, David K, and Djebali, to international guests like Jamie Jones, Robert Hood, and Tolga Fidan.

It would be hard to imagine the Parisian underground without Ghenacia, so he was a no-brainer when putting together our list of Focus on France features. To conclude our “Focus On France” free compilation our latest and final track download comes from Dan Ghenacia himself. Read on for his insightful perspective on the French scene.

Which were the most important local clubs, DJs and record labels for you when you were first getting into electronic dance music? What were they like, and how did they influence your own music and career?

I started going out in 1992. It was an amazing moment for raves in Paris. Although I was less interested in clubs, the two best venues were definitely the Rex Club in Paris and l’An-fer in Dijon. It didn’t really influence my career in its early debut, cause this was the time I moved to San Diego for one year. Obviously, these years, places, and entourages totally fed me musically. Some deep and psychedelic house music; and I still love it!!

As a matter of fact I’ve always fought against the music policy in Paris because it has always been very difficult for me to find a place in the music scene.

Everything started for me in ‘98 with the opening of the Batofar. I was resident of the boat for five years. Then I quit for five years… and went back on board since 2008 with a weekly summer party, still with the main purpose of offering deep music the exposure it granted.

What is it that sets Parisian or French music apart? Do you think it’s possible to define a French or Parisian sound? Has this changed over time?

France has been one of the last European countries touched by the techno movement. As a consequence, both influences, American and European, are naturally really strong.

Then, in my opinion, one tendency of French electronic music is the ability to mix every sound all together, from house to techno. A common thing for a lot of French artists could be the integration of the Funk and the Groove to their musical approach.

Which artists and labels from your country should people be looking out for, and why?

There are loads of newcomers, but to name a few I would say Varoslav and Supplement Facts (Guy Gerber’s label) as he is doing such a great A&R job for the label, and he’s such a very good DJ.

Then Le Loup (Wolf + Lamb, Get the Curse, Eklo, etc.) delivers some proper deep-funk underground music. One to watch for sure.

Finally, I would say Djebali. He has released twice on Freak N Chic (also on Tuning Spork and the emerging Nordik Net label). He is a very housey DJ and a great sound engineer. I would guess that he will become a major player on the house scene during the next years.

Dan Ghenacia on Beatport

Freak N Chic on Beatport

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